First up, I ain't gonna lie here... this was written before Labour Day and "Time Stamped" for a couple of good reasons...

Firstly, I'm a computer tech by trade, so working on computers, even a personal project like this one, still feels like work... and therefore, being labour day and all, I'm taking a day away from the screen except to check in now and again.

Secondly, it's the last day of The Canadian International Air Show... and Sue and I being aviation enthusiasts on top of everything else will be heading out to watch the show with the kiddollo... There's two aircraft in particular (the Talon and the Spitfire) I'm going to be excited and happy to watch put through their paces... and of course, I still get excited to see The Snowbirds... (GET THESE GUYS SOME NEW PLANES ALREADY!!!)

...where was I? Oh yes, I was digressing...

That said, there is SOME news in the Good Doctor front... and although it may SEEM like spoilers, I'd take it with a LARGE grain of salt considering the source...

Britain's The News of the World did an article (hat tip to Blogtor Who for posting it) that says a few things... all of which, through my studying and reading, have some levels of "truthiness" to them.

- Two of the four 2009 specials will be filmed in the United States.

Probably... and NotW cites the American Sci-Fi channel being the reason for this, what with the fan base of the show in North America growing like a bad weed.

This is LIKELY true... but I can't see the second major sponsor of the current show (The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) being too cool with this... and it could be the standard British non-understanding that America and Canada are actually two different and sovereign nations. I do see the shows being filmed in North America, sure, but my money's on Vancouver, British Colombia, being the likely place for the effort.

- There will be an American "companion" for the doctor... a "big name" star at that.

Very likely. Again, Vancouver would lend itself to this as many American shows film there and it's not a long trek between LA and Vancouver... and a familiar American starlet would add a touch of clout to the growing North American audience.

We can all start to speculate now as to who this companion might be!

- Show creator/producer/writer Russel T. Davies has said they are spending WAY more than usual on these four specials than a standard program.

This one's probably very accurate. First of all, it's Mr. Davies' last shows before handing the reigns to Stephen Moffat... and it's well known he wants to go out with a BIG bang, so to speak... but it also provides some evidence to my thoughts of Canada, not America, being the location of the shows... CBC would be more willing to pump money into things being filmed in Canada than in Los Angeles.

- Speaking of Stephen Moffat, according to the article, a "film" version of Doctor Who (in some form) is in the works.

I'd give this about a 45% chance... it's now known that Moffat, who worked with Stephen Spielberg on the new Tintin movie script has talked about it, and there was a BIG rumour that Spielberg wanted to discuss a "Who" movie with him... capped off with his statement that he made that "the world would be a poorer place without Doctor Who" (source)... but I ask those who are fans... How would you do a 90 minute Doctor Who movie for those who may be completely unfamiliar with the characters and concepts? You'd need 90 minutes just to bring folks up to speed! It would be a VERY tricky thing...

Although, there is This as well... (Look who's #1!) so there is a chance of fiscal success for such a product.

Granted, Moffat and the departing Davies both have said that a film is "okay" as long as it doesn't impede the television offerings.

- Here's the one that might send a collective shiver through everyone... The specials will be David Tennant's last appearances and he'll "regenerate" into a new leading man during them.

Here's where I waffle... but I wonder if it's out of fandom.

I am a big "mark" for David Tennant's Doctor... as is the whole family... and NotW "predicted" Tennant was going to leave the role twice in the past already... so I don't know...

Not to mention, Tennant's growing popularity with fans is a given... and if you're trying to woo North Americans, probably not a great idea to deep-six one of the more charismatic "Doctors" to come along in a while.

I know that if this WAS an American production, he would simply be offered an obscene salary to stick about... enough to make things pretty much a given... and reports DID say that The Beeb was ponying up a goodly sum... not a "Friends" version of a salary, but a decent amount of coin.

My instincts tell me expect our illustrious "Tenth Doctor" to be around until 2011... after that, I would expect a regeneration. This would be the fiscal and fan-base "wise" thing to do... and allow North Americans to "catch up" with a proven Doctor.

If anyone cares, my top five fave Doctors are still...

#1: David Tennant
#2: Tom Baker
#3: Jon Pertwee
#4: Christopher Eccleston
#5: Sylvester McCoy

...and I do hold a VERY warm spot in my heart for Peter Davison of course, but I have to "stay true" to my Doctors!

Why bring this up...

Because, despite the facts, the rumour MIGHT be true... but I'm clouded as I am a fan.

Hey, I try to be neutral... but cut me some slack.

Of course, I do have my idea of who SHOULD be the Eleventh Doctor... but I'll keep that under my hat for now.

NOT from the News of the World article... and often discussed on the Doctor Who Forum is a rumour that even "I" have some possible scoop on...

Better than average chance (really, almost a given,) through some little birds of my own and somewhat confirmed through the above mentioned forum... expect the fellow below to make an appearance...

...and this guy too...

...during the four specials.

...oh, and don't forget... Catherine Tate said she WOULD be interested in "The Return of Donna"... (it's also been demi-confirmed that she's spoken to Stephen Moffat about this,) which I'd like... and with that, perhaps more Wilf???

NOTHING CONFIRMED, but it's all from goodly sources.

Quick hat-tip to "Jess" from Planet Gallifrey who has returned after a five week hiatus... I don't know "Jess" personally, but I do thank her for a great source for news and Who-Shtuff!

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